Progressives Want To "Make Obama Better," Not Replace Him, Say Bob Weiner and John Horton; Article in Michigan Chronicle, 6-Time "Best Black Paper In Country"
WASHINGTON and DETROIT, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Robert Weiner, a former Clinton White House spokesman and communications director for House Government Operations Committee under Rep. John Conyers, and Senior Political Analyst at Robert Weiner Associates John Horton argue that the goal of both progressives and the Congressional Black Caucus is to "make Obama better," not replace him in either the Democratic primaries or general election. "However, to assure that happens, he must stop caving in to Republicans on negotiations." Weiner and Horton wrote an op-ed column today in the Michigan Chronicle, named "best black paper in the country" six times in the last twelve years by the National Newspaper Association.
In the piece, "Still Wanting to Make Obama a Better President," Weiner and Horton point to the July 27 statement by Representative John Conyers (D-MI), Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first Member of Congress to endorse Obama in 2008: "From this day forward ... we want him to come out on our side, not to watch and wait... We're suffering. We've had it. These concessions with the people that are going to oppose him... I don't see where they're going to get him in the end." Conyers made the statements at a press conference he and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), CBC Chair, convened of the new Out of Poverty Caucus Press Conference. Conyers says "we have to make" Obama fight for important causes like jobs and Medicare. Weiner and Horton say that Conyers is convinced that Obama will win in the upcoming campaign "if he wins first on policy instead of continuing to cave and settle for deals."
Weiner and Horton say Progressives believe "the President has blinked while bargaining with Republicans and their Tea Party base. The first time was continuing the tax cuts for the wealthy in December and the second was the Continuing Resolution to fund the government in April. Each time the Republicans' brinkmanship has been rewarded with a more conservative bill. Now, with the latest debt deal and since, they perceive he has given into the 'cuts only' philosophy for action while merely talking about gaining revenues in the future by reversing rich tax cuts."
Weiner and Horton assert: "The President continues to bargain with the very same people who will do all in their power to defeat him – even when they are willing to risk the country's economic well-being. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) overtly said, 'The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.' It's clear that even sweetheart deals will not soften the opposition's goals."
According to Weiner and Horton, "An excellent example of the way forward for the President was shown by new U.S. Rep. Kathy Hochul (D-NY, 26th district), who turned around the 3rd most Republican district in the nation. She used a laser focus and killer instinct to hammer her opponent over the Paul Ryan (R-WI) budget plan that would 'voucherize' Medicare. She said emphatically, 'I will stop at nothing to protect the guarantees we've made to our seniors over the last seventy-six years.' Senior citizens supported her because they get their health care from Medicare and want it left intact so that their grandchildren can eventually use it. She refused to support Medicare cuts. This is the type of action many Democratic leaders like Conyers are longing to see from the President."
Robert Weiner, Washington, DC, is a former White House spokesman and communications director for House Government Operations Committee; John Horton is a political analyst at Robert Weiner Associates
Contact: Bob Weiner / Khurram Abbas 301-283-0821 or 202-329-1700
SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates
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